CSKA 1948 vs Levski Sofia Prediction

CSKA 1948 vs Levski Sofia prediction for Sunday stakes

Mark your calendars: 2026-02-22 at 14:45 GMT brings a title-shaped afternoon in Sofia, and this CSKA 1948 vs Levski Sofia prediction comes with real context behind the numbers. It’s Round 22 of the Bulgarian First League, with Levski sitting 1st and CSKA 1948 chasing from 3rd, still trying to make the gap look smaller than it feels.

The setting is Stadion Vitosha in Bistritsa, where CSKA 1948 have built a habit of making big teams work for every meter. But Levski arrive with the kind of league form that travels well: five wins in their last six league matches, and a recent 3-1 success over Botev Vratsa on February 7 helped steady them after cup disappointments against Ludogorets (Super Cup on Feb 3, Cup on Feb 11).

How the game may be played (before we talk bets)

Levski under Stanislav Genchev have leaned into direct football, usually in a 3-1-4-2 that values speed over sterile control. Training-ground stories about “stopwatch” transition drills are not folklore anymore; their attacks often look like they are timed to the second. CSKA 1948, coached by Ivan Stoyanov, tend to answer that with structure first, usually a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, and a home approach built on patience.

• Levski’s route to goal: quick forward passes, set pieces, and early shots when the lane opens.
• CSKA 1948’s plan: deny central space, slow the rhythm, then break using wing pace (Rusev is key here).
• Table pressure: Levski reportedly hold a 10-point lead—win here and the title race becomes a long walk for everyone else.

Team news adds texture. Levski still miss Kelian van der Kaap after knee surgery, while Christian Makoun has returned to training but may not be ready for a full 90. Up front, Mustapha Sangaré and winter arrival Juan Perea carry the scoring responsibility, especially after January exits like Tsunami and Marin Petkov. For CSKA 1948, Atanas Iliev remains the reliable finisher and Lasha Dvali brings authority in defense, while goalkeeper Petar Marinov stays sidelined. There’s also noise around Mamadou Diallo and interest from Al-Ahli—never ideal before a big match.

Head to head notes and the price of history

Recent head to head meetings have leaned Levski, and the last recorded meeting on 2024.19-15 finished 4-2 for the Blues. The market expected it too: Levski were 1.83 in the betting odds while CSKA 1948 were 4.33. Still, CSKA 1948 have shown they can win as outsiders—like the 0-1 at CSKA Sofia on 2025-08-24 priced at 5.25—while Levski’s European grit flashed with a 1-1 at PAOK in 2022 at odds of 7.0.

NerdyTips betting angles: predictions and why they fit

Current 1X2 prices list Home 4.1, Draw 3.45, Away 1.95. The squad value gap (€16.70m vs €25.75m) and the tactical match-up both support Levski being favored, especially if they win the transition battle.

1. Best tip: X2 (Levski or draw) — trust 8.5/10, odds 1.25. With Levski projected at 59% possession and 11 shots (4 on target) versus CSKA 1948’s 5 (2 on target), the away side look more likely to avoid defeat.
2. 1X2 pick: Away win (2) — trust 8.0, odds 1.95. This aligns with the model’s expected control and higher corner share (5 of 7).
3. Over 1.5 total goals — confidence 3.9, odds 1.32. The pace of Levski’s direct style usually creates chances even against compact blocks.

The model also points to a measured game for discipline (1 yellow each) and a familiar script: Levski ahead at the break, then managing the second half. Predicted half-time score is 0-1, with a projected final score of 1-2. In short, this CSKA 1948 vs Levski Sofia prediction leans on form, volume, and game state: Levski should create more, and that often decides tight Bulgarian league afternoons.